Safety device for food cutting machine

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a magnetic safety device especially designed for a kitchen robot-type combined food cutting and processing machine, especially intended and designed for a combined operation of functionalities such as a grater, food cutter and similar, structured around interchangeable accessories bearing the corresponding cutting head, grating head, etc. and a motor block, where an assembly of elements acts upon the vertical distance of a magnet disposed on the lower base of a container accessory (2) to modify the relative position of the aforementioned magnet in relation to a magnetic detector/sensor disposed in the interior of the motor block and in an area near the region of the base where the magnet of the accessory container is disposed.

The present invention relates to a magnetic safety device for a combined food cutting machine.

More particularly, the invention relates to a magnetic safety device especially designed for a kitchen robot-type combined food cutting and processing machine, especially intended and designed for the combined operation of functionalities such as grater, food cutter and similar, structured around interchangeable accessories bearing the corresponding cutting head, grating head, etc. and a motor block, also having means for quickly anchoring and fixing the aforementioned interchangeable accessories bearing a cutting head, etc. to the motor block.

Devices and machines destined for food processing-related operations, such as cutting vegetables, grating bread, emulsifying food and other similar operations are known to exist in the current state of the art. In general, machines known to exist in the current state of the art of the type mentioned consist essentially of a closed motor block which houses motive means, a rotational axis that emerges vertically from the motor block and an accessory for processing the food, the structural characteristics of which depend on the specific application to which they are destined. Therefore, said accessories can consist of a pot-type container, a cutter, an emulsifier, etc.

In the case of combined cutting machines, these are usually equipped with a motor block that houses cutting or grating blades or disks in its interior, as well as a thrusting element which, on one hand, allows the container accessory where the product to be processed is introduced to be closed and, on the other, allows it to remain in permanent contact with the cutting or grating elements.

These types of combined cutting/grating machines are equipped with safety and control devices that only allow operation of the machine when the different components thereof are in their respective operating positions.

In order to increase the degree of safety of these combined cutting machines, the present invention develops an additional safety device that is directly associated to the operation of the thrusting element by the user, in such a manner that cutting or grating is only allowed when the thrusting element and the accessory container itself are configured within an operating range, i.e. from the moment in which the thruster closes the accessory container with the product in its interior to that in which the cutting or grating operation is completed.

To this end, the accessory container includes an element that essentially consists of a magnetised element which, by virtue of its position, detected by the corresponding magnetic sensor or detector disposed in the motor block, will allow the combined cutting machine to be started up in a safe manner.

The present invention is described below on the basis of the attached figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 Shows a cross-section of a combined cutting machine showing the safety device of the invention according to an embodiment thereof.

FIG. 2 Shows a detail of part of the safety device according to FIG. 1.

In one embodiment of the invention, the magnetic safety device especially designed for a combined food cutting machine, having a motor block (1) and an accessory destined for cutting or grating vegetables and other food products, said accessory container (2) being formed from a container that houses cutting or grating blades or disks on its lower part, as well as a thrusting element (3) that closes the container accessory (2) where the product to be processed is introduced and keeps it in permanent contact with the cutting or grating elements, consists of an assembly of elements that act upon the vertical distance of a magnet (4) disposed on the lower base of the container accessory (2) that modify the position of the aforementioned magnet (4) relative to a magnetic detector/sensor (12) disposed in the interior of the motor block (1), and in an area near the base region where the magnet (4) of the container accessory (2) is disposed.

The thruster (3), which preferably has a tilting movement in relation to a lower end thereof solidarily joined to the container accessory (2), has a cam (5) on said end. The cam (5) actuates, together with the tilting movement of the thruster (3), a vertical transmission axis (6).

Said axis (6) has a return spring (7) and an extendable screw-nut system (8) for regulating the length of the aforementioned axis (6).

The axis assembly (6) and screw-nut system (8) actuates a transmission lever (9) which in turn actuates a second assembly formed by a second vertical axis (10) with its corresponding return spring (11), at the end of which the magnet (4) is housed.

Therefore, when the user actuates the thruster (3), the cam (5) transmits the movement thereof to the vertical transmission axis (6), which moves the transmission lever (9). In turn, the transmission lever (9) rotates around a fixed point or fulcrum (13) at a certain angle due to the vertical movement of the transmission axis (6), pushing the second vertical axis (10). The multiplier effect of the transmission lever (9), which moves the second vertical axis (10) vertically, allows broader movement of said axis (10) and of the solidary magnet (4). This allows a slight movement of the axis (6) to translate into a significantly greater movement of the axis (10), approximating the magnet (4) disposed at the end thereof to the magnetic detector/sensor (12) of the motor block (1), allowing not only operation of the combined cutting machine, but also increasing its operational safety.

The screw-nut system (8) allows modification of the total length of the axis (6) by means of simple threading, precisely regulating the moment of activation or deactivation of the combined machine itself in relation to the thruster position (3), thereby facilitating the final adjustment of the safety device to the accessory elements employed in the use thereof, particularly to the cutting/grating accessory containers. 

1. Magnetic safety device especially designed for a combined food cutting machine, of the type that has a motor block (1) and an accessory (2) destined for cutting or grating vegetables and other food products, said accessory (2) being formed from a container housing cutting or grating blades or disks in the interior thereof, as well as a thrusting element (3) which allows the container accessory (2) where the product to be processed is introduced to be closed and maintained in permanent contact with the cutting or grating elements, characterised in that it consists of an assembly of elements which act upon the vertical distance of a magnet (4) disposed on the lower base of the container accessory (2) that modify the relative position of the aforementioned magnet (4) in relation to a magnetic detector/sensor (12) disposed inside the motor block (1) and in an area near the region of the base where the magnet (4) of the container accessory (2) is disposed.
 2. Magnetic safety device, according to claim 1, characterised in that the thruster (3) has a cam (5) at one of its ends which actuates, together with the movement of the thruster (3), a vertical transmission axis (6), where the axis (6) has a return spring (7) and, at its lower end, an extendable screw-nut system (8) for regulating the length of the aforementioned axis (6), said assembly formed by the axis (6) and the screw-nut system (8) actuating a transmission lever (9) which in turn actuates a second assembly formed by a second vertical axis (10) with its corresponding return spring (11), at the end of which the magnet (4) is housed.
 3. Magnetic safety device, according to claim 1, characterised in that the transmission lever (9) rotates around a fixed point or fulcrum (13) at a certain angle, pushing the second vertical axis (10) and multiplying the vertical movement of said vertical axis (10).
 4. Magnetic safety device, according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the thruster (3) acts with a tilting movement in relation to its lower end solidarily joined to the container accessory (2). 